Ferens Art Gallery

Opened in 1927, the award winning Ferens Art Gallery combines internationally renowned permanent collections with a thriving programme of temporary exhibitions. We also run a lively education and events programme that includes talks and art workshops.

The gallery's first-class permanent collection of paintings and sculpture spans the medieval period to the present day. These include European Old Masters, particularly Dutch and Flemish, portraiture, marine paintings, modern and contemporary British art, including video. Highlights include masterpieces by Frans Hals, Antonio Canaletto, Stanley Spencer, David Hockney, Helen Chadwick and Gillian Wearing.

Part of the Designated Collections of national importance relating to the city and region of Kingston upon Hull are on display here.

Venue Type:

Gallery

Opening hours

Mon-Sat 1000-1700Sun 1330-1630

Admission charges

FREE

Part of a Designated Collection of national importance is on display at this gallery.

Collection details

Fine Art, Decorative and Applied Art, Archives

Key artists and exhibits

Designated Collection

Exhibition details are listed below, you may need to scroll down to see them all.

Exhibition (temporary)

Friends Choice

16 May — 31 August 2015 *on now

Over twenty hidden gems from the Ferens’ permanent collection have been chosen by members of the Friends of the Ferens Art Gallery for a new display. Many of the works have not had an airing for over a decade.

The Friends organisation was established in 1960 to support the work of the Gallery and encourage and promote the enjoyment of art. They fundraise, help purchase new works for the collection and support conservation and special gallery projects such as the Open Exhibition and audience development work.

The paintings selected by the Friends focus on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Highlights include a large maritime painting, ‘The Lame Duck’ by the Hull School artist Thomas Somerscales. It was conserved this year through the Friends ‘Adopt a Painting Scheme’ and both the picture and its frame which has also been treated, are now seen in prime condition.

Other highlights include works by Roger Hilton, Louis Le Brocquy and Paul Nash.

Art across the curriculum

This resource about using art in galleries as a starting point for cross curricular work has some useful tips: choose a work large enough for a whole class to explore together in the gallery, take a risk - children are fantastic at making their own interpretations of both contemporary and historical artwork, look for unexpected curriculum links.

Publisher

This resource was produced as part of the MLA-funded My Learning project.

Digital and online resources

Connect>Create 2008

Focussing on Hull's contemporary art collection including work by Helen Chadwick, Mark Wallinger, Alan Currall, Seamus Nicholson and Paul Hodgson, with creative responses to their work by Art and Design students.

Publisher

This resource was produced as part of the MLA-funded My Learning project.

Publisher

Hull Traders: Revolutionary Fabrics

Revolutionary design by Shirley Craven and Hull Traders and the exuberant, fun and colourful designs of the Sixties’ pop era show the cross-fertilisation of ideas in painting, textiles and furniture design.

Publisher

This resource was produced as part of the MLA-funded My Learning project.

Digital and online resources

Self Image

An insight with video and audio clips into how four artists, Alan Currall, Gavin Turk, John Coplans and John Byam Shaw explored a range of issues and ideas about self image and portraiture by turning their attention upon themselves or their families.

Publisher

This resource was produced as part of the MLA-funded My Learning project.

Digital and online resources

Surrealist Art: Objects and Meanings

Surrealism is a popular movement with pupils and adults alike for its playful mixture of objects and images in unexpected situations and its shock tactics. This resource has been written to support pupils study of Surrealism but it encourages a focus on British artists and indicates the ongoing influence Surrealism has on British art.

Publisher

This resource was produced as part of the MLA-funded My Learning project.

Website

E-mail

Telephone

01482 613902

All information is drawn from or provided by the venues themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.